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Skateboarders show off skills at Land O’ Lakes competition

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Seven-year-old Jalen Diaz, of Tampa, watches skaters as they demonstrate their skills during the Skate Jam at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex. The young competitor said he’s been skateboarding for two years. His father, disc jockey Dondy Telesford, of Tampa, provided music for the event. (Fred Bellet)

Skaters took to their boards at a course at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex recently to test their skills against other enthusiasts.

They had three minutes to demonstrate what they could do and they were judged on the difficulty of their run, as well as variety, style and execution.

Fifteen skaters competed in four divisions, split up by ages 6 to 8; 9 to 12; 13 to 17; and 18 and older.

The Trick or Treat Skate Jam was presented by LANDO Skateboard and the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex, at 3032 Collier Parkway, in Land O’ Lakes.

Skaters paid $25 to participate, which included a free T-shirt.

Entertainment was provided by DJ Dondy!

Skaters came from Tampa, New Port Richey, Land O’ Lakes and Dade City. There was even one skater there from Wildwood, New Jersey, He was visiting a friend who lives in the region.

Published November 10, 2021

Gage Warner, of New Port Richey, positions his skateboard at the top of the starting ramp, as he prepares to start his three-minute run on the skateboard course.
Organizer and judge Greg Mark, of Land O’ Lakes, and fellow judge Tony Grzanowski, of Tampa, work on the judging cards.
In the older division, Skate Jam winner Tyler Radford, center, is flanked by second-place winner Gage Warner, left, and Erik Thielbar, third place. Besides certificates, the winners received prizes from Dairy Queen and other local businesses.
Organizer Greg Mark, top/center, stands with the winners in the youth division, 7-year-old Jalen Diaz, of Tampa, bottom/left, who won second place and 8-year-old Jude Crerand, of Dade City, who won first place.

On his way to a winning position in the age 18 and older division, Gage Warner speeds down the starting ramp, as he races against the clock during his three minutes on the skateboard course.

Erik Thiebar, of Land O’ Lakes, finds himself shadow-dancing, as he makes is way to the top of the ramp.
Competitors watch as eventual winner 32-year-old Tyler Radford, of Tampa, prepares to finish the course. Erik Thiebar, center, of Land O’ Lakes, records Radford’s skateboarding excellence from the top of the ramp.
Mitch Chaput prepares to start his three-minute run on the skateboard ramps and rails during the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex’s first Trick or Treat Skate Jam. The event, which is planned to be held annually, featured 15 contestants, ranging from 6 to over 18, competing for prizes. Chaput, who lives in Wildwood, New Jersey, was visiting friend and fellow skateboarder Gage Warner, of New Port Richey, who also took part.
Competing in the age 6 through 8 division, 8-year-old Jude Crerand, of Dade City, gets set to take on the skateboard course.
Tyler Radford, 32, of Tampa, is on his way to winning the first-place award, as he glides across a tabletop and drops down on his skateboard to complete the run.

 

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